This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: OHaraHaworth68 Surnames: ARBOUR DORVAL MOONEY GREGOIRE GOYET HANLEY SIMMONS HUDSON Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.arbour/321/mb.ashx Message Board Post: 17 May 1846 - Born in Joliette City, Quebec, Basile ARBOUR was the 15th of 20 children born to Jean-Baptiste ARBOUR and Marie-Emelie DORVAL. We have not mentioned our prolific couple in a while so today will be a nice step into the world of many children. While still a bachelor, Basile moved to Ontario, probably in about the summer of 1868, with his older brother Xavier and Xavier's family -- shortly after sister Zoe and her family. Basile, too, came for the economic prosperity promised by the lumber trade. They all seem to have gravitated toward Belle Ewart, ON, located in Innisfil Township, Simcoe County, on the western shore of Lake Simcoe. The first mention of Basile in Ontario is at the baptism of his godson, nephew Xavier ARBOUR, in April 1869, in Barrie, ON, also located in Simcoe County. When Basile turned 24, he decided to establish his own household. He married 22-year old Ann Jane MOONEY in Belle Ewart on 22 May 1870. After their wedding, Basile and Jane settled i! n Belle Ewart, where their first 3 children were born. The young family was found with their firstborn in Innisfil Township in April 1871. Basile was also recorded in the Dominion Directory that year as being a laborer in Belle Ewart. As the lumbering was drying up in Belle Ewart in the early 1870s, Basile and Jane no doubt realized they had to make a change, one which included uprooting their family and moving north. Basile's brother Xavier was on his way to Waubaushene and sister Zoe was already there. In 1874, the railroad was complete all the way to Severn Bridge. By March 1876, this young ARBOUR family of five appears to have ridden the train to the end of the line and settled in Port Severn, where 4 more children were added, bringing the total to 7, all of whom were baptised Catholic. The family was recorded in Tay Township in the Census reports of 1881, of 1891, and of 1901. In 1878, there were only 100 Catholics in Port Severn. Did the Basile and Jane family count t! hemselves among this number? Or did they align themselves with the Pro testants? A family story does show that at one point, the family did stop attending the Catholic Church. One day Basile came home to find Jane very upset. Seems the local priest had visited and found Jane reading to her children from the Bible. Apparently, this did not please the priest. He told her to give him the Bible, chastized her for reading it, and threw it outside. Basile, who was quite angry when he heard her story, then went to see the priest and have a chat. The family never went to the Catholic Church again. In 1887 and in 1890, Basile was confirmed to be a tenant farmer on Concession 12, Lot 18, in Port Severn. Also living on this lot were his brother-in-law Octave GREGOIRE and Octave's son-in-law Henry GOYET. While working as a farmer, Basile was also employed at the Port Severn Lumber Mill. On 16 August 1896, the Port Severn Mill was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, taking with it the company's community store as well as other properties. The smal! l town was devastated. The livelihoods of 100 families, including Basile and Jane's and that of other French-Canadian settlers, had depended upon the mill. The mill was never rebuilt and this family, like many others, moved away. Basile and Jane did not travel far when they moved near family in Waubaushene. On 17 February 1897, they bought their house on Pine Street from Dr. J. F. HANLEY for $400. On 22 March 1897, they took out a mortgage for $200 from the Ontario Permanent Building and Loan Association: two shares of $100 each, interest due $2.40 per month for 154 months. Although Jane signed her name to the contract, Basile was apparently illiterate as his signature was represented by an "x." The 1901 Census shows Basile and his family as owning this 5-room house on Πacre of Concession 10, Lot 10. Basile earned $200 that year at the mill in Waubaushene. On 9 May 1910, the loan on the house was discharged, having been considered paid in full. The house remained in the fa! mily for many years until being sold by Basile's granddaughters, the o ffspring of youngest daughter Annie Belle. However, just prior to the house being sold, great-granddaughter Carolyn SIMMONS HUDSON rescued a precious heirloom. Basile had handcrafted a corner cupboard made of ash for Jane. Still in beautiful condition, Carolyn found the piece in the summer kitchen and now it resides in her home in rural Ontario. Jane died in Waubaushene on 26 November 1909, at the age of 62. The 1911 Census shows Basile as a widower still living in Waubaushene. He continued to work at the saw mill and appeared to enjoy good health. Living with Basile this year were son Baptiste and family, including wife Annie and daughters Janie and Bessie. While Baptiste and Annie had 2 of their children living with them, the other three, Bernice, 12, Devina, 4, and John, 1, lived with Aunt Emily and Uncle Herbert, who had only daughter Crystal, 6. Perhaps they could not afford to keep all of their own children and perhaps Emily was unable to have more even though she desi! red more. The true reasons behind this may never be known. Also living with Basile was his grandson Howard. It is expected that we should see Howard was living with his grandfather, as his mother died when he was born and he was raised by Jane and Basile, assisted by his Aunt Annie Belle. All of his life Basile reportedly had magical properties and was considered to have special "healing" gifts. As an adult, folks came to his house for him to heal their minor ailments, especially nosebleeds. He also used to make coffins and even helped to "lay people out" for wakes. When he died on 15 May 1929, Basile was buried in the Protestant Cemetery in Waubaushene on what would have been his 83rd birthday. Basile and Jane can claim 30 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 45 great-great-grandchildren. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.